Knicks Feel the Pain When Ewing Exits Early

It was not a good night for the New York Knicks.

At the start, Patrick Ewing lasted only 29 seconds before departing because of a sore Achilles’ tendon, and at the end Latrell Sprewell blew a defensive assignment, freeing Milwaukee’s Dell Curry for a three-point shot with three seconds left in the game.

Curry’s shot gave the Bucks an 87-86 victory Tuesday night at New York.

“It was totally my fault on that play,” said Sprewell, who left Curry wide open in the corner.

An MRI performed on Ewing’s left Achilles’ tendon came back negative. His status is day-to-day.

Charlotte 105, Boston 87--The Hornets made a winner out of Paul Silas in his first game as interim coach of the Hornets, beating the Celtics at Charlotte.

J.R. Reid had 26 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Hornets, whose off-court distractions include Dave Cowen’s resignation as coach, an ownership scandal, trade reports and injury problems.

Charlotte’s Derrick Coleman is out because of a sprained right foot, and guard Bobby Phills was diagnosed earlier in the day with a possible stress fracture in his left leg.

Boston was dealt a blow too, losing rookie Paul Pierce to an ankle injury in the first quarter. X-rays were negative, but he did not return.

Antoine Walker had a season-high 32 points for the Celtics.

Chicago 103, New Jersey 87--Toni Kukoc scored 28, Ron Harper missed only one shot in the first half on his way to a season-high 25 points and the Bulls scored 100 points for the first time this season to the delight of fans at the United Center. The 100 points meant they could get a free taco.

Utah 88, Cleveland 75--With Coach Jerry Sloan back after missing two games because of knee surgery, the Jazz outrebounded the Cavaliers, 52-37, and held them to 34% shooting (22 of 64) to win for the eighth time in nine home games. The Cavaliers committed 36 fouls and kept the game close until seven minutes remained.

Houston 84, Denver 74--Hakeem Olajuwon had 20 points and Scottie Pippen scored 10 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter at Houston as the Rockets handed the Nuggets their fifth consecutive loss.

Minnesota 85, Seattle 84--Kevin Garnett scored 12 fourth-quarter points, including a one-handed putback dunk with 18 seconds left at Minneapolis, as the Timberwolves handed the SuperSonics their fourth consecutive loss.

Phoenix 103, Dallas 91--Cliff Robinson’s 11 fourth-quarter points helped the Suns win at Dallas in a game delayed 70 minutes because of a slippery substance on the Reunion Arena floor. It was believed the mysterious substance got on the floor while it was stored for a hockey game.

Portland 103, Sacramento 98--The Trail Blazers improved to 9-0 at home as Isaiah Rider scored 21 points and Brian Grant had 19 points and 11 rebounds.

Golden State 92, Vancouver 82--The Warriors won at Oakland despite 35 points by the Grizzlies’ Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Before the game, the Warriors activated Muggsy Bogues, who had been out because of chicken pox.